Houtshop Van der Gucht is a well-known name within the timber sector. In 2018, the timber shop started looking for an ergonomic way to manipulate wooden boards. In their search they ended up at Logitrans Handling. Together with several other suppliers, we succeeded in improving the well-being of their staff while boosting efficiency and productivity in the joinery. Read more about the completed project between Houtshop Van der Gucht and Logitrans Handling here.
The following matters are dealt with in this case:
- Houtshop van der Gucht: who are they and what do they do?
- A timber company with its heart in the right place
- More efficiency and ergonomics in carpentry
- Identification of the challenges
- A complex project with great results
- Great future prospects
Have fun reading!
Houtshop van der Gucht: who are they and what do they do?
A success story that many companies only dream about. In four generations, Houtshop Van der Gucht grew from a modest basket-making company into a fully-fledged timber trade. Four generations in which the love of wood in all its facets was passed on from father to son.
Today, Houtshop Van der Gucht has grown into a natural woodworking business that employs about 50 people. In order to offer its customers the best possible experience, the woodshop has a transport service, an advice zone, a well-stocked warehouse, an extensive joinery and, as the icing on the cake, its own shop with a beautiful showroom.
The company is based in Temse and until recently enjoyed mainly regional fame. Since 2016, however, the website has been providing the necessary traffic from and to the farthest corners of Belgium. This fact has been reinforced since the start of online sales last year.
Besides wood, you will also find the necessary materials to process it in the extensive shopping area: from power tools to paint and wood refinement. The showroom displays a nice assortment of doors, floors, cladding, terraces and other related items. There is also an extensive section with lumber in all shapes and sizes that will make the craftsman and the better do-it-yourselfer's mouth water.
Houtshop has two joinery shops. On the one hand, wood and boards can be sawn, milled and/or trimmed according to the customer's wishes. On the other hand, materials are processed into ready-to-use packages, according to the cabinet design of a professional or private customer. Doors are also made to measure, not only in terms of dimensions, but also with the necessary lock and hinge holes. For the finishing touch, advice and materials can be found in the shop area.
A timber company with its heart in the right place.
That Houtshop Van der Gucht is a company with a big heart needs no mentioning. Full of enthusiasm, they have already set up actions in the past to contribute to benefit campaigns such as the Warmest Week.
In addition, numerous charities are sponsored each year. But there is also a lot of attention for the employees. Mental and physical well-being are central. By providing the necessary resources and stimulating an ergonomic way of working, a more pleasant working environment was created in which employees can work in a more efficient and physically less stressful way.
More efficiency and ergonomics in carpentry
A few years ago, Houtshop invested heavily in the expansion of its joinery, with a view to ergonomics and efficiency. An automated sheet warehouse dominates the space to deliver the necessary sheet material to the right location anywhere in the joinery.
In addition, the number of CNC machines was increased, which meant that more and more precise sawing work could be guaranteed. CNC stands for Computerised Numerical Control and is essentially a computer-controlled machine used in all kinds of production processes.
Of the two CNC machines in the joinery, one is loaded by the automatic plate warehouse. The other machine can only be loaded by the operators themselves. This is a physically demanding and difficult task given the weight and size of the wooden plates. To reduce the manual work to a minimum, Houtshop turned to Logitrans for an ergonomic solution.
Identification of the challenges
Houtshop Van der Gucht first came into contact with Logitrans at the Prowood wood exhibition in 2018. At the request of the timber trade, Logitrans conducted an on-site workstation analysis, where a number of challenges were immediately identified:
- The warehouse loads the one machine from above so the rails should not be above it
- The CNC machines are under the warehouse where there is only limited space
- The distance between the CNC machines was quite large
After thorough analysis, a vacuum lifting system with a telescopic rail system proved to be the best solution. These rails were attached to the underside of the sheet metal warehouse. This was also a challenge for Logitrans as this was the first project where the rail system extended in the length of the main tracks.
A complex project with great results
Thanks to this installation, it is possible for the vacuum lifting system to step outside the rail system. This allows the vacuum lifting system to lift the sheet metal and place it on top of the CNC machines while still not interfering with the automatic supply system.
By hanging the installation below the sheet metal warehouse, Van der Gucht could also save space. Logitrans therefore did not have to work with columns to mount the rail system. In the end, the cooperation between the Houtshop and Logitrans went very smoothly. From analysis to the final installation, expectations were met and the operators were given proper training.
Great future prospects
The future looks especially bright for Houtshop. Corona has had little negative impact, as professional customers have continued to work in full and private individuals have also started to do odd jobs at home. A trend that will most likely continue for some time to come. The woodshop also wants to continue investing in ergonomics to improve the well-being of its employees. This certainly includes potential cooperation opportunities with Logitrans.
